Electrically-driven particulate agglomeration in a combustion system

ABSTRACT

Technologies are presented for applying electrical energy to a combustion reaction to produce agglomerated combustion particulates. For example, a system may include: one or more electrodes configured to apply electrical energy to a combustion reaction; a combustion zone configured to support the combustion reaction of a fuel at a fuel source; and an electrical power source operatively coupled to the one or more electrodes and configured to apply electrical energy to the combustion reaction. The combustion reaction is controlled to produce a distribution of agglomerated combustion particulates characterized by an increase in at least one of an average particulate diameter or an average particulate mass.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority benefit from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/616,223, entitled “MULTIPLE FUEL COMBUSTIONSYSTEM AND METHOD”, filed Mar. 27, 2012; and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/694,212, entitled “ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN PARTICULATEAGGLOMERATION IN A COMBUSTION SYSTEM”, filed Aug. 28, 2012; which, tothe extent not inconsistent with the disclosure herein, are incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND

Combustion reactions may produce a variety of combustion products,including particulate products. Government regulations impose limits onthe amount of particulate pollution that can be released into theatmosphere. It may therefore necessary to control the amount ofparticulates produced in a combustion reaction and/or to remove someportion of the particulates from a combustion exhaust stream before itis released.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a system is configured to apply electrical energy to acombustion reaction to produce agglomerated combustion particulates. Thesystem includes at least one electrode, and can include a plurality ofelectrodes. The electrode is configured to apply electrical energy to acombustion reaction. The system includes a combustion zone. Thecombustion zone is configured to support the combustion reaction of afuel at or near a fuel source. The combustion reaction produces adistribution of combustion particulates. The distribution of combustionparticulates can be characterized by an average particulate diameter oran average particulate mass. The system also includes an electricalpower source. The electrical power source is operatively coupled to theelectrode. The electrical power source is configured to apply electricalenergy, via the electrode, to the combustion reaction. The electricalenergy applied via the electrode to the combustion reaction iscontrolled to be sufficient to cause an increase in the averageparticulate diameter or in the average particulate mass of thecombustion particulates. The increase in average particulate diameter oraverage particulate mass of the combustion particulates produces amodified distribution of agglomerated combustion particulates.

According to an embodiment, the system includes first and secondelectrodes, and is configured to form an electrical circuit through thecombustion reaction.

According to an embodiment, a method of agglomerating particulates in acombustion reaction is provided. The method includes contacting a fueland an oxidant in a combustion zone to support a combustion reaction,which produces a distribution of combustion particulates. The methodalso includes applying electrical energy to the combustion reactionsufficient to cause agglomeration of the combustion particulates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system configured to apply electricalenergy to a combustion reaction to produce agglomerated combustionparticulates, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual scheme illustrating a distribution of combustionparticulates characterized by an average particulate diameter and amodified distribution of agglomerated combustion particulatescharacterized by a modified average particulate diameter, according toan embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual schematic of a circuit, including a firstelectrode, a second electrode, an electrical power supply, and thecombustion reaction, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system configured to apply electricalenergy to a combustion reaction to produce agglomerated combustionparticulates, further including a particulate separation device,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of agglomerating particulates in acombustion reaction, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system configured to apply electricalenergy to a combustion reaction to produce agglomerated combustionparticulates, further including a housing, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changesmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of thedisclosure.

The inventor has recognized that removing particulates from a combustionexhaust stream can be difficult. Many are of such small size thatcollecting the particles by filtering or other particulate collectionmethods is undesirably difficult, expensive, inefficient, etc. Accordingto various embodiments, systems and methods are provided in which thecombustion particulates produced in combustion reactions are made toagglomerate into larger clusters, i.e., agglomerated particulates.According to some embodiments, the larger agglomerated particulates canbe removed from an exhaust stream more easily and with less expense thantypical combustion particulates. According to other embodiments, theagglomerated particulates can be removed from an exhaust stream withlower pressure drop (e.g., expressed as reduced back pressure), withhigher removal efficiency, and/or with reduced loss of thermodynamicefficiency. Furthermore, because they are larger and more massive,agglomerated particulates that may remain in the exhaust stream fall outof the atmosphere more quickly, and thus have a lower impact on airquality.

In tests, it was found that combustion particles can be made toagglomerate when the combustion reaction is energized by an electricalsource. In particular, the inventor found that a number of differenttypes of signals can be applied to promote agglomeration. With regard toDC-type signals, a positive-polarity signal applied to the combustionreaction can be more effective than a negative polarity signal.Regarding periodic signals, a signal that that alternates polarity canbe used, as can a signal that does not change polarity, i.e., a signalwith a DC offset. In general, frequencies of between about 50 Hz and1000 Hz are effective, with the strongest agglomeration being achievedat frequencies between about 200 Hz and 300 Hz. Results are alsostronger at higher signal voltage levels. On the other hand, currentlevels, and thus power consumption, are very low. Typically, the signalvoltage should be above 1000 V, and can exceed 40,000 V.

These values can vary according to various of factors, such as, forexample, the type, size, and temperature of the combustion reaction, theconfiguration of the space in which the combustion occurs, theformulations of the fuel and oxidizer, the ambient temperature,humidity, etc.

It is theorized that the agglomeration is caused by an increase ineffective particle diameter responsive to the acceleration of chargedparticles in the electric field. Collisions between charged anduncharged particles can accelerate the uncharged particles. The increasein effective diameter increases the likelihood that it will come intocontact with other such particulates. As particulates of appropriatetypes contact each other, they tend to adhere, forming agglomeratedparticles.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 101 configured to apply electricalenergy to a combustion reaction 104 to produce agglomerated combustionparticulates, according to an embodiment. The system 101 includes one ormore electrodes 102. The one or more electrodes 102 are configured toapply electrical energy to a combustion reaction 104, for example, bydirect contact. The system 101 also includes a combustion zone 106. Thecombustion zone 106 is configured to support the combustion reaction 104of a fuel 108 supplied by a fuel source 110. The combustion reaction 104is capable of producing a distribution 112 of combustion particulates114. The distribution 112 of the combustion particulates 114 can becharacterized by at least one of an average particulate diameter 202(see FIG. 2) or an average particulate mass. The system 101 alsoincludes an electrical power source 116. The electrical power source 116is operatively coupled to the one or more electrodes 102. The electricalpower source 116 is configured to apply electrical energy via the one ormore electrodes 102 to the combustion reaction 104. The electricalenergy applied via the one or more electrodes 102 to the combustionreaction 104 is sufficient to cause an increase in at least one of theaverage particulate diameter 202 or the average particulate mass of thedistribution 112 of the combustion particulates 114. The increase in atleast one of the average particulate diameter 202 or the averageparticulate mass of the distribution 112 of the combustion particulates114 produces a modified distribution 212 of agglomerated combustionparticulates 214 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 is a conceptual scheme 201 illustrating the distribution 112 ofthe combustion particulates 114 and the average particulate diameter202. FIG. 2 also illustrates the modified distribution 212 of theagglomerated combustion particulates 214 and the modified averageparticulate diameter 204.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the system 101 alsoincludes the fuel source 110. The fuel source 110 is configured todeliver the fuel 108 in the form of one or more of a gas, a liquid, asolid, or a powdered solid. Additionally or alternatively, thecombustion reaction 104 can include a flame. Additionally oralternatively, the combustion reaction 108 can at least intermittentlyproduce the distribution 112 of the combustion particulates 114.Additionally or alternatively, the distribution 112 of the combustionparticulates 114 can be visible or invisible to the human eye.

In an embodiment, the electrical power source 116 is configured to applythe electrical energy via the one or more electrodes 102 to thecombustion reaction 104 sufficient to cause an increase of at leastabout 50% in the average particulate diameter 202 of the distribution112 of the combustion particulates 114. The increase of at least about50% in the average particulate diameter 202 of the distribution 112 ofthe combustion particulates 114 produces the modified averageparticulate diameter 204 of the modified distribution 212 of theagglomerated combustion particulates 214. Additionally or alternatively,the average particulate diameter 202 of the distribution 112 of thecombustion particulates 114 can also be increased such that the modifiedaverage particulate diameter 204 is in a range between about 1micrometer and about 1millimeter.

In an embodiment, the electrical power source 116 is configured to applythe electrical energy via the one or more electrodes 102 to thecombustion reaction 104 sufficient to cause an increase of at leastabout 50% in the average particulate mass of the distribution 112 of thecombustion particulates 114. The increase of at least about 50% in theaverage particulate mass of the distribution 112 of the combustionparticulates 114 produces the modified average particulate mass of themodified distribution 212 of the agglomerated combustion particulates214. Additionally or alternatively, the average particulate mass of thedistribution 112 of the combustion particulates 114 can be increasedsuch that the modified average particulate mass is in a range betweenabout 0.1 microgram and about 1 milligram.

In an embodiment, the system 101 includes a controller 118. Thecontroller 118 is operatively coupled to the electrical power source116. The controller 118 is configured via machine executableinstructions. The machine executable instructions can cause thecontroller 118 to automatically control the electrical power source 116.The electrical power source 116 is automatically controlled to apply theelectrical energy via the one or more electrodes 102 to the combustionreaction 104. The electrical energy is sufficient to cause the increasein at least one of the average particulate diameter 202 or the averageparticulate mass of the distribution 112 of the combustion particulates114 to produce the modified distribution 212 of the agglomeratedcombustion particulates 214.

In an embodiment, the system 101 may include at least one sensor 120.The at least one sensor is operatively coupled to the controller 118.The controller 118 is configured to detect a sensor value from the atleast one sensor 120, for example, configured at least in part accordingto the machine executable instructions. Additionally or alternatively,the controller 118 can automatically control the electrical power source116 to apply the electrical energy via the one or more electrodes 102 tothe combustion reaction 104 at least in part responsive to the sensorvalue from the at least one sensor 120.

In various embodiments, the controller 118 and the at least one sensor120 are configured to detect the sensor value corresponding to one ormore of the following values. The sensor value may correspond to a fuelflow rate. The sensor value may correspond to a temperature. The sensorvalue may correspond to an oxygen level. The sensor value may correspondto a voltage. The sensor value may correspond to a charge. The sensorvalue may correspond to a capacitance. The sensor value may correspondto a current. The sensor value may correspond to a time-varyingelectrical signal. The sensor value may correspond to a frequency of aperiodic electrical signal. The sensor value may correspond to anobserved value that correlates to the average particulate diameter. Thesensor value may correspond to an observed value that correlates to theaverage particulate mass. The sensor value may correspond to an observedvalue that correlates to a density of the distribution of particulates.The sensor value may correspond to an electromagnetic scattering value,for example, a scattering of infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light.The sensor value may correspond to an electromagnetic absorption value,for example, an absorption of infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light.The sensor value may correspond to an electromagnetic emission value,for example, an emission of infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light. Inan embodiment, the electrical power source 116 is configured to applythe electrical energy to the combustion reaction 104 by delivering acharge, a voltage, or an electric field through the one or moreelectrodes 102. For example, the electrical power source 116 isconfigured to apply the electrical energy to the combustion reaction 104as a static electrical signal through the one or more electrodes 102.The electrical power source 116 is configured to apply the electricalenergy to the one or more electrodes 102 in a voltage range betweenabout +50,000 kilovolts and about −50,000 kilovolts. Additionally oralternatively, the electrical power source 116 is configured to applythe electrical energy to the combustion reaction 104 as a time-varyingelectrical signal through the one or more electrodes 102. Thetime-varying electrical signal may include a periodic component. Forexample, the time-varying electrical signal may include a periodiccomponent characterized by one or more frequencies in a range betweenabout 1 Hertz and about 10,000 Hertz. Additionally or alternatively, thetime-varying electrical signal can include an alternating current.

In an embodiment, the system 101 includes a plurality of electrodes 102operatively coupled to the electrical power source 116. The electricalpower source 116 is configured to drive the plurality of electrodes 102in a manner similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 1.Another example of a system that employs a plurality of electrodes isdescribed in more detail below, with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual schematic of a circuit 301. In an embodiment, thecircuit 301 is configured from, for example, the first electrode 102A,the second electrode 102B, the electrical power supply 116, and thecombustion reaction 104. The electrical power source 116 is configuredto electrically drive the circuit 301. The combustion reaction 104functions in the circuit 301 at least intermittently as one or more of aresistor, a capacitor, or an inductor.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system 401. In an embodiment, the system401 is configured to apply electrical energy to the combustion reaction104 to produce the agglomerated combustion particulates.

The system 401 includes a first electrode 102A and a second electrode1026. The electrical power source 116 is configured to drive the firstelectrode 102A and the second electrode 102B. In the example shown, theelectrical power source 116 is configured to drive the first and secondelectrodes 102A and 102B, with a time-varying electrical signal in arange between about 1 Hertz and about 1200 Hertz. The electrical powersource 116 is configured to drive the first and second electrodes 102Aand 102B, with the voltage in a range between about +15,000 volts andabout −15,000 volts.

The system 401 is configured to form a closed electrical circuit. Duringoperation, the electrical power source 116 drives the circuit, producingan electrical current that passes through the first electrode 102A, thecombustion reaction 104, and the second electrode 102B. In someembodiments, the circuit may be intermittent, as action of a flame, forexample, opens and closes the circuit.

The electrical power source 116 and controller 118 can be configured toautomatically control parameters of the energy applied to the combustionprocess to obtain a desired result. For example, where agglomeration ofthe combustion particulates 214 to produce a smaller number ofrelatively large particulates is desired, the electrical power source116 and controller 118 can be configured to control signal frequency andvoltage to cause agglomeration of the particulates 214, using feedbackfrom the sensor 120 to determine the optimum values.

The system 401 may include a particulate separation device 402. Theparticulate separation device 402 is configured to collect a portion ofthe modified distribution 212 of the agglomerated combustionparticulates 214. Additionally or alternatively, the particulateseparation device 402 is configured to collect a portion of thedistribution 112 of the combustion particulates 114. Additionally oralternatively, the particulate separation device 402 is configured tocollect the modified distribution 212 of the agglomerated combustionparticulates 214 preferentially or selectively compared to thedistribution 112 of the combustion particulates 114. For example, theportion of the modified distribution 212 of the agglomerated combustionparticulates 214 is collected by the particulate separation device 402according to the increase in the average particulate diameter 202 or theaverage particulate mass of the distribution 112 of the combustionparticulates 114. The portion of the modified distribution 212 of theagglomerated combustion particulates 214 is collected by the particulateseparation device 402 according to the modified average particulatediameter 204 or the modified average particulate mass of the modifieddistribution 212 of the agglomerated combustion particulates 214. Theparticulate separation device 402 includes one or more of: a filter, abaghouse, a cyclone separator, a baffle separator, a wet scrubber, or anelectrostatic precipitator.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 501 of agglomerating particulatesin a combustion reaction. In an embodiment, the method 501 includes anoperation 502 of contacting a fuel and an oxidant in a combustion zoneto support a combustion reaction. The method 501 also includes anoperation 504 of reacting the fuel and the oxidant in the combustionreaction to at least intermittently produce a distribution of combustionparticulates. The distribution of combustion particulates ischaracterized by at least one of an average particulate diameter or anaverage particulate mass. The method 501 also includes an operation 506of applying electrical energy to the combustion reaction sufficient tocause an increase in at least one of the average particulate diameter orthe average particulate mass of the distribution of the combustionparticulates to produce a modified distribution of agglomeratedcombustion particulates. The operation 506 of applying the electricalenergy is conducted by an electrical power supply. The electrical powersupply is configured to apply the electrical energy via one or moreelectrodes. The one or more electrodes are configured to apply theelectrical energy from the electrical power supply to the combustionreaction.

In an embodiment, the method 501 includes providing the fuel in the formof one or more of a gas, a liquid, a solid, or a powdered solid.Additionally or alternatively, the method 501 includes contacting thefuel and the oxidant in the combustion zone to support a flame.Additionally or alternatively, in the method 501, the distribution ofthe combustion particulates is visible or invisible to the human eye.

In an embodiment, the method 501 includes applying the electrical energyto the combustion reaction sufficient to cause an increase of at leastabout 50% in the average particulate diameter of the distribution of thecombustion particulates. The increase of at least about 50% in theaverage particulate diameter produces a modified average particulatediameter of the modified distribution of the agglomerated combustionparticulates. The method 501 also includes increasing the averageparticulate diameter of the distribution of the combustion particulatessuch that the modified average particulate diameter is in a rangebetween about 1 micrometer and about 1 millimeter.

In an embodiment, the method 501 includes applying the electrical energyto the combustion reaction sufficient to cause an increase of at leastabout 50% in the average particulate mass of the distribution of thecombustion particulates. The increase of at least about 50% in theaverage particulate mass produces a modified average particulate mass ofthe modified distribution of the agglomerated combustion particulates.The method 501 also includes increasing the average particulate mass ofthe distribution of the combustion particulates such that the modifiedaverage particulate mass is in a range between about 0.1 microgram andabout 1 milligram.

In an embodiment, the method 501 includes automatically applying theelectrical energy to the combustion reaction sufficient to cause theincrease in at least one of the average particulate diameter or theaverage particulate mass of the distribution of the combustionparticulates to produce the modified distribution of the agglomeratedcombustion particulates. Automatically applying the energy isaccomplished by an automated controller configured by one or moremachine executable instructions. The machine executable instructions aretypically carried by a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Thecontroller can control the electrical power supply to apply theelectrical energy according to the machine executable instructions. Themachine executable instructions are configured to carry out one or moreoperations, actions, or steps described herein.

In an embodiment, the method 501 includes detecting a sensor valueassociated with the combustion reaction. Additionally or alternatively,the method 501 also includes automatically applying the electricalenergy to the combustion reaction at least in part responsive to thesensor value. The machine executable instructions are configured foroperating the controller to automatically detect the sensor valueassociated with the combustion reaction.

In various embodiments, the sensor value corresponds to one or more ofthe following values. The sensor value may correspond to a fuel flowrate. The sensor value may correspond to a temperature. The sensor valuemay correspond to an oxygen level. The sensor value may correspond to avoltage. The sensor value may correspond to a charge. The sensor valuemay correspond to a capacitance. The sensor value may correspond to acurrent. The sensor value may correspond to a time-varying electricalsignal. The sensor value may correspond to a frequency of a periodicelectrical signal. The sensor value may correspond to an observed valuethat correlates to the average particulate diameter. The sensor valuemay correspond to an observed value that correlates to the averageparticulate mass. The sensor value may correspond to an observed valuethat correlates to a density of the distribution of particulates. Thesensor value may correspond to an electromagnetic scattering value, forexample, a scattering of infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light. Thesensor value may correspond to an electromagnetic absorption value, forexample, an absorption of infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light. Thesensor value may correspond to an electromagnetic emission value, forexample, an emission of infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light.

In an embodiment, the method 501 includes applying the electrical energyby delivering a charge, a voltage, or an electric field to thecombustion reaction. The method 501 includes applying the electricalenergy to the combustion reaction as a static electrical signal. Forexample, the method 501 may include applying the electrical energy tothe combustion reaction in a voltage range between about +50,000kilovolts and about −50,000 kilovolts. The method 501 may includeapplying the electrical energy to the combustion reaction in a voltagerange between about +15,000 kilovolts and about −15,000 kilovolts. In anembodiment, the method 501 includes applying the electrical energy tothe combustion reaction as a time-varying electrical signal. Thetime-varying electrical signal may include, for example, an alternatingcurrent. The time varying electrical signal may include a periodiccomponent. For example, the time-varying electrical signal may include aperiodic component characterized by one or more frequencies in a rangebetween about 1 Hertz and about 10,000 Hertz. In some embodiments, thetime-varying electrical signal includes a periodic componentcharacterized by one or more frequencies in a range between about 1Hertz and about 1200 Hertz.

In an embodiment, the method 501 includes applying the electrical energyto form a circuit with the combustion reaction. The electrical energy isapplied to electrically drive the circuit. The electrical energy mayelectrically drive the circuit such that the combustion reactionfunctions in the circuit at least intermittently as one or more of aresistor, a capacitor, or an inductor. The circuit may further include,for example, the one or more electrodes, e.g., a first electrode and asecond electrode; and the electrical power supply, operatively coupledto the one or more electrodes; all configured together with thecombustion reaction to at least intermittently form the circuit.

In an embodiment, the method 501 includes an operation 508 of collectinga portion of the modified distribution of the agglomerated combustionparticulates, for example, by particulate separation. The operation ofcollecting the portion of the modified distribution of the agglomeratedcombustion particulates can proceed according at least in part to theincrease in the average particulate diameter or the average particulatemass. Additionally or alternatively, the method 501 includes collectinga portion of the distribution of the combustion particulates.Additionally or alternatively, the operation 508 of collecting theportion of the modified distribution of the agglomerated combustionparticulates can proceed preferentially or selectively compared tocollecting the portion of the distribution of the combustionparticulates. For example, the portion of the modified distribution ofthe agglomerated combustion particulates is collected by particulateseparation according to the increase in the average particulate diameteror the average particulate mass of the distribution of the combustionparticulates. Additionally or alternatively, collecting the portion ofthe modified distribution of the agglomerated combustion particulates iscollected by particulate separation according to the modified averageparticulate diameter or the modified average particulate mass of themodified distribution of the agglomerated combustion particulates. In anembodiment, the method 501 includes collecting the portion of themodified distribution of the agglomerated combustion particulates by oneor more of: filtering, baghouse collecting, cyclonic separating, baffleinertial separating, wet scrubbing, or electrostatic precipitating.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system 601. The system 601 includes acylindrical housing 602 that defines lateral dimensions of a combustionzone, within which the combustion reaction occurs. According to anembodiment, at least a portion of the housing 602 is conductive, andfunctions as a first electrode. A second electrode 604 is positionedinside the housing 602, and is electrically isolated from the housing.The electrical power source 116 is coupled to the housing 602 and secondelectrode 604, and is configured to apply electrical energy to thecombustion reaction 104 substantially as described above, in particular,with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 4.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects andembodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and arenot intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit beingindicated by the following claims.

1.-26. (canceled)
 27. A method, comprising: supporting a flame bycontacting a fuel and an oxidant in a combustion zone;, the flame beingelectrically conductive; producing combustion particulates by reactingthe fuel and the oxidant in the flame; forming an electrical circuit byputting a first electrode and a second electrode into at leastintermittent electrical contact with the flame; producing agglomeratedcombustion particulates by applying electrical energy to the flame viathe electrical circuit, the electrical energy being sufficient to causeagglomeration of the combustion particulates produced by the flame;detecting a sensor value that corresponds to an agglomerated combustionparticulate parameter; and inputting the sensor value to a controllerthat automatically controls the electrical energy at least in partresponsive to the sensor value that corresponds to the agglomeratedcombustion particulate parameter.
 28. The method of claim 27, whereinthe step of producing agglomerated combustion particulates by applyingelectrical energy to the flame includes applying sufficient electricalenergy to the flame to cause an average particulate diameter of theagglomerated combustion particulates to be at least about 50% greaterthan an average particulate diameter of the combustion particulatesproduced by the flame without the application of the electrical energy.29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of producing agglomeratedcombustion particulates includes producing agglomerated combustionparticulates having an average particulate diameter in a range betweenabout 1 micrometer and about 1 millimeter.
 30. The method of claim 27,wherein the step of producing agglomerated combustion particulates byapplying electrical energy to the flame includes applying sufficientelectrical energy to the flame to cause an average particulate mass ofthe agglomerated combustion particulates to be at least about 50%greater than an average particulate mass of the combustion particulatesproduced by the flame without the application of the electrical energy.31. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of producing agglomeratedcombustion particulates includes producing agglomerated combustionparticulates having an average particulate mass in a range between about0.1 microgram and about 1 milligram.
 32. The method of claim 27, whereinthe step of producing agglomerated combustion particulates by applyingelectrical energy to the flame includes automatically applying theelectrical energy to the flame sufficient to cause agglomeration of thecombustion particulates produced by the flame.
 33. The method of claim32, further comprising: detecting a sensor value associated with theflame; and wherein the step of automatically applying the electricalenergy to the flame includes automatically applying the electricalenergy to the flame at least in part responsive to the sensor value thatis associated with the flame.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein thestep of detecting the sensor value associated with the flame includesdetecting a sensor value corresponding to one or more of: a fuel flowrate; a temperature; an oxygen level; a voltage; a charge; acapacitance; a current; an average particulate diameter; an averageparticulate mass; a density of a distribution of particulates; anelectromagnetic scattering value; an electromagnetic absorption value;and an electromagnetic emission value.
 35. The method of claim 27,wherein the step of producing agglomerated combustion particulates byapplying electrical energy to the flame includes applying electricalenergy by delivering at least one of a charge, a voltage, and anelectric field to the flame.
 36. The method of claim 27, wherein thestep of producing agglomerated combustion particulates by applyingelectrical energy to the flame includes applying electrical energy tothe flame as a substantially constant electrical signal.
 37. The methodof claim 27, wherein the step of producing agglomerated combustionparticulates by applying electrical energy to the flame includesapplying electrical energy to the flame in a voltage range between about+50,000 kilovolts and about −50,000 kilovolts.
 38. The method of claim37, wherein the step of producing agglomerated combustion particulatesby applying electrical energy to the flame includes applying electricalenergy to the flame in a voltage range between about +15,000 kilovoltsand about −15,000 kilovolts.
 39. The method of claim 27, wherein thestep of producing agglomerated combustion particulates by applyingelectrical energy to the flame includes applying electrical energy tothe flame as a time-varying electrical signal.
 40. The method of claim39, wherein the step of producing agglomerated combustion particulatesby applying electrical energy to the flame as a time-varying electricalsignal includes applying electrical energy to the flame as analternating current.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the step ofproducing agglomerated combustion particulates by applying electricalenergy to the flame as a time-varying electrical signal includesapplying electrical energy to the flame as a time-varying electricalsignal having a periodic component.
 42. The method of claim 41, whereinthe step of producing agglomerated combustion particulates by applyingelectrical energy to the flame as a time-varying electrical signalincludes applying electrical energy to the flame as a time-varyingelectrical signal having a periodic component with a frequency in arange between about 1 Hertz and about 10,000 Hertz.
 43. The method ofclaim 41, wherein the step of producing agglomerated combustionparticulates by applying electrical energy to the flame as atime-varying electrical signal includes applying electrical energy tothe flame as a time-varying electrical signal having a periodiccomponent with a frequency in a range between about 1 Hertz and about1200 Hertz.
 44. (canceled)
 45. The method of claim 27, wherein the stepof producing agglomerated combustion particulates by applying electricalenergy to the circuit includes applying electrical energy to theelectrical circuit such that the flame functions in the circuit at leastintermittently as one or more of a resistor, a capacitor, and aninductor.
 46. The method of claim 27, further comprising collecting aportion of the agglomerated combustion particulates.
 47. The method ofclaim 46, wherein the step of collecting a portion of the agglomeratedcombustion particulates includes collecting the portion of theagglomerated combustion particulates by at least one selected from thegroup consisting of filtering, baghouse collecting, cyclonic separating,baffle inertial separating, wet scrubbing, and electrostaticprecipitating.
 48. The method of claim 27, further comprising puttingthe first electrode and/or the second electrode into direct contact withthe flame.